Juniors I’d Like to Highlight

Brady Peterson December 9, 2024 @ 10:19 AM

Today, we're looking at a few sophomores and juniors thriving early in the season. The first article will regard the sophomore class. After that, we'll highlight the junior class.   [player_tooltip player_id='533083' first='Taylor' last='Gifford']   The involvement of Gifford in the Wolverine is crucial if Waukesha West wants to maximize its ceiling. If Gifford touches the ball, the offense flows better because it means the ball has been moving in that particular possession, or she grabbed an offensive rebound. Gifford works hard under the rim, and when she gets the ball and gets rewarded for it, productive things tend to occur.   [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close']   The 5'7 Red Raider is a perfect fit in the Tosa East backcourt. She plays off [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'] well and doesn't have an ego. If Close doesn't touch the ball in possessions, the junior is ok with it and gets back on the defensive end. Even when shots fall for her, she never gets too high. Close has the mentality that coaches want in all their kids. She works hard, plays hard, and never brings a negative attitude to practice or a game.   [player_tooltip player_id='842243' first='Hanna' last='Bultman']   A candidate for early season breakout is [player_tooltip player_id='842243' first='Hanna' last='Bultman']. I'd seen some of the massive lines she posted in her first few games, but watching her for myself last Saturday blew me away. Last season, she was a kid who rode her emotions, and they got the best of her. She's brought it down a notch while keeping her mean streak around the basket. Scholarship-level programs should take a look at her. Bultman can shoot, score around the rim, rebound, and control the paint defensively. She's been unbelievable.   [player_tooltip player_id='890999' first='Sophie' last='Busch']   The Appleton North is a versatile backcourt kid for the Lightning. She can play with or without the ball, attack off the dribble, or lose kids by running off screens away from the ball. She's quick and uses that tool well on the offensive end of the floor. On the other end, she'll guard some of the top kids in the FVA and compete for however long she's on the floor. Small schools in the region will look at her this summer, and I'm sure she'll earn a handful of options to play at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='842230' first='Amaya' last='Brooks']   Quietly, Brooks has become one of the more productive small-school prospects in the 2025 guard class. She hasn't shot the ball as well as she could, but I like how Brooks shoots. I'd assume more shots fall at the college level with more talent around her and her not having to shoot off the dribble. However, she handles the ball well, rebounds, and creates for her teammates at a high level.   [player_tooltip player_id='509715' first='Sadie' last='Kubacki']   The junior Tosa East guard won't get picked up by any local news station, newspaper, or anything, but what she does helps make everything make sense for the Red Raiders. Kubacki walks into every game prepared to defend some of the top players in Southeast Wisconsin while giving up size to all of them and does well in that role. She doesn't need to score a point for her affect games, which is rare. I love watching her navigate screens and find ways to make her matchup uncomfortable. Kubacki is crucial in the Red Raiders' quest for a state title.

Today, we're looking at a few sophomores and juniors thriving early in the season. The first article will regard the sophomore class. After that, we'll highlight the junior class.